Trigger mechanism for arrow projecting device



United States Patent [7 2] lnve ntor Georges Beuchat Marseille, France [2]] Appl. No. 716,163

[22] Filed March 26, 1968 [45] Patented Nov. 3, 1970 [73] Assignee Beuchat & Cie., Societe Anonyme Marseille, France [32] Priority Dec. 1, 1967 [3 3 France [54] TRIGGER MECHANISM FOR ARROW PROJECTING DEVICE 2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl..' 124/31, 124/41 [51] Int. Cl F4lc 19/00 [50] Field of Search 124/37, 31, 41,22,25

[56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attorney-William Anthony Drucker France 124/37 ABSTRACT: A trigger mechanism for a subaquatic arrow-firing gun, comprising a butt structure in which there is mounted a transverse shaft and a star-shaped latching wheel and a retainer spaced from the wheel to define an opening to receive a notched arrow to be held by the wheel until the wheel is freed by operation of a trigger, the star-shaped latching wheel and the retainer being both assembled onto the shaft so that the assembly bears the strains of holding the loaded arrow.

TRIGGER MECHANISM FOR ARROW PROJECTING DEVICE The object of the invention is to provide a functional element which makes it henceforward unnecessary for the butt to bear the strain of positioning the arrow under tension, held fast by the latch, and which eliminates the tolerances to which the machining of the various parts is generally subject, and which finally enables accidental discharge, due to impacts or other such factors, to be avoided.

It is characterized by the means employed, considered in conjunction with and independently of one another, and more particularly by a stirrup strap of which the smooth upper part gauges the entry of the arrow and positions it in such a way that its securing notch is situated in the teeth of the rack pinion, while its side plates provided with bearings are retained by the actual shaft of the star-shaped latch, the entire system being designed to ensure that all the strains are borne by this metal part which protects the latch against wear, while at the same time forming a compact assembly independent of the butt.

The accompanying drawings illustrate, by the way of an example, without any limitative effect. one possible constructional version of the apparatus to which the invention relates:

FIG. 1 is a view, in perspective, of the stirrup strap characterizing the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the assembly, independent of the butt.

FIG, 3 shows how the device is fitted into the butt of a subaquatic crossbow.

The stirrup strap consists of a part comprising a rectilinear surface 1 forming a means of force and support, which is smooth in order to assist the sliding movement. It includes two side plates 2 and 3, each provided with an orifice or bearing 4 and 5 respectively, with profiled bottom edges 6 and 7 respectively. This stirrup strap is mounted on the shaft 8 bearing the star-shaped or escapement type latch 9.

This stirrup strap is positioned on the common shaft 8 in such a way as to give passage to the extremity of the arrow or harpoon 10, in such a manner that the notch 11 is engaged by the tooth 12.

The arrow slides in the orifice l3 defined by the bearing surface 14 and by the surface 15 or supporting point in the butt 16, which is generally moulded from a synthetic material or cast in metal.

The trigger 17 with a stop shoulder 18 passes freely between the two side plates 2 and 3 of the stirrup strap.

The functional advantages of this device will thus be evident.

Despite the advantages of the rack" pinion 9 which reduces the strain and the effects of wear, the use of arms such as subaquatic crossbows or guns has hitherto invariably presented dangers.

The fact is that if the star-shaped pinion acts as a pawl opposing the rotation of the pinion in the direction required to liberate the arrow 10, the structure of the arm will not stand up to the strain entailed, and the supporting point 15 gives way very rapidly.

By the system in which the stirrup strap shown in FIG. 1, with the smooth positioning surface 1, is placed on the starshaped latch (FIG. 3) the shaft 8, the star-shaped latch 9 and the stirrup strap form a calibrated homogeneous assembly independent of the butt.

It is thus henceforward possible to ensure perfect calibration, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to give passage to the arrow 10, i.e. to introduce and discharge it.

This system eliminates the considerable clearances clue to the tolerances involved in this type of apparatus, invariably rendering crossbows dangerous, by reason of the wear suffered after a comparatively short period of use, because this increased the risk of accidental discharge.

The stirrup strap in FIG. 1, integral with the shaft 8, made of metal of very high strength guaranteeing minimum wear, ensures that the latch will last longer than all the other components, this beintg indispensable to safety.

ln the event 0 accidental impact the essential part of the weapon is protected and cannot undergo any deformation, and the stirrup strap can be rapidly removed and replaced. The butt, which no longer undergoes any strain, can be made ofa light-weight material, e.g. synthetic plastics.

lclaim:

l. A trigger mechanism, for a subaquatic arrow firing gun, comprising a butt structure, a shaft mounted in said butt structure, a star-shaped latch wheel journalled on said shaft, a retainer assembled on said shaft, said retainer comprising a stirrup shaped rigid strap having an intermediate smooth-surfaced bridge portion defining with the latch wheel the opening to receive the arrow, said strap having opposed depending arms which are apertured and through which the shaft passes; and a trigger pivoted in the butt structure and having a shoulder which in one end position of movement is abutted by a tooth of the latch wheel to act as a releasable stop for said wheel.

2. A trigger mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the butt structure comprises a bearing surface opposed in direction to the bridge portion such that the arrow is guided between the bridge portion and the bearing surface. 

